Interceptor Projectile Net Deployment for Non-Fragmenting Defense
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for defending against incoming projectiles, such as rocket propelled grenades, often result in fragmentation that can cause collateral damage and injury, as they destroy the projectile using warheads.
Innovation Solution
A deployable net is integrated into a weapons interceptor projectile that deploys to ensnare and disable incoming projectiles, remaining mechanically coupled to the interceptor body via a tether, thereby altering the projectile's trajectory and preventing fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a warhead interceptor is used to destroy incoming projectiles, then the incoming projectile is defeated, but fragmentation is produced that may injure personnel or cause collateral damage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful warhead component is extracted and removed from the interceptor projectile, replacing it with a net deployment mechanism that disables the incoming projectile without creating harmful fragmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The interceptor uses the incoming projectile's own momentum and kinetic energy to enable the net deployment and wrapping process, converting the harmful kinetic energy into a useful disabling mechanism that prevents the projectile from reaching its target while avoiding fragmentation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a net is deployed from the interceptor body, then the incoming projectile can be ensnared without fragmentation, but the net may lose mechanical coupling with the interceptor body after deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The tether connecting the net to the interceptor body is designed to transition from a constrained state during deployment to an extended state during impact, dynamically adapting its configuration to maintain mechanical coupling throughout the operational sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The tether provides flexible mechanical coupling between the net and interceptor body, allowing the net to deploy and wrap around the incoming projectile while maintaining connection through elastic or non-rigid attachment
3Force
If the net is tethered to the interceptor body, then momentum is increased to affect the trajectory of the incoming projectile, but the net may not effectively wrap around the projectile
Solution Approach 1:
The net is deployed and positioned around the incoming projectile before the main impact occurs, allowing the tether to become taut and transfer momentum effectively while the net is already in the optimal wrapping configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The tether acts as an intermediary element that transfers momentum from the interceptor body to the net, enabling the net to effectively wrap around and disable the incoming projectile through controlled force transmission
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The net effectively diverts incoming projectiles without causing fragmentation, reducing the risk of collateral damage and allowing for potential capture and recovery of enemy projectiles, while maintaining momentum to ensure the projectile misses its target.
Implementation Method 1
A elastic or nonrigid tether keeps the net attached to the tubular body even after the net is deployed
Implementation Method 2
The momentum imparted to the incoming projectile causes the incoming projectile to miss its intended target. The tethering of the net to the projectile body increases the momentum of the interceptor projectile that affects the trajectory of the incoming projectile
Data Source
AI summary
An interceptor projectile includes a deployable net that deploys during flight and wraps around an incoming projectile, such as a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). The net is initially in a tubular body of the interceptor projectile. A propellant is used to deploy the net from the body. Even after deployment the net remains attached to the body by an elastic tether. The engagement of the net with the incoming projectile disables the incoming projectile, with the momentum imparted by the interceptor projectile sending the incoming projectile off course. This successfully defends a target against the incoming projectile. Through the tether, substantially all of the parts of the interceptor projectile may be mechanically linked together even after deployment of the net. This mechanical linking provides more momentum for impacting the interceptor projectile, which may facilitate diverting the incoming projectile.